Valdez books 12th seat to Tokyo Olympics

MANILA, Philippines — Shooter Jayson Valdez became the latest Filipino to claim a seat in the Tokyo Olympics next month.

Valdez, 25, received his slot in the men’s 10-meter air rifle event via continental quota from the Munich-based International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF).

“I received an urgent message last night from the ISSF in Germany, the mother of all the shooting federations,” said Valdez. “They asked me if we’re ready, so I replied ‘Yes we’re ready!’ and they gave me the quota.”

Valdez emerged as the 12th Filipino to make the cut next to pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Elreen Ando, rower Cris Nievarez, taekwondo’s Kurt Barbosa and skateboarder Margie Didal.

It also ended a two-Olympic cycle drought for the sport. The last time a shooter made it this far was in the 2012 London Games where Paul Brian Rosario got through in the men’s skeet as a wild card entry.

Valdez was the last to get the call from ISSF after making the minimum qualifying scores (MQS) he got in the World Cup and Asian qualifying tournaments early this year.

And international sporting success runs in the family as Valdez’ father, Julius, was a triple gold medalist in the 1987 Jakarta Southeast Asian Games.